Power System Representation

Hadi Suyono, Ph.D | Power System Analysis | Department of Electrical Engineering | Brawijaya University

One-line (single-line) diagrams

Almost all modern power systems are three-phase systems with the phases of equal
amplitude and shifted by 120. Since phases are similar, it is customary to sketch
power systems in a simple form with a single line representing all three phases of
the real system.

Combined with a standard

set of symbols for electrical
components, such one-line
diagrams provide a compact
way to represent information.

One-line (single-line) diagrams

Example 10.1: a power system containing two synchronous machines, two loads, two busses, two
transformers, and a transmission line to connect busses together.

All devices are protected by oil circuit breakers (OCBs). We notice that the diagram indicates the
type of connection for each machine and transformer, and also the points in the system connected
to the ground.
The ground connections are important since they affect the current flowing in nonsymmetrical faults.
These connection can be direct or through a resistor or inductor (they help reducing the fault current
that flows in unsymmetrical faults, while having no impact on the steady-state operation of the
system since the current through them will be zero). Machine ratings, impedances, and/or
consumed (or supplied) powers are usually included in the diagrams.

Per-phase, per-unit equivalent circuits

As we have learned, the easiest way to analyze a balanced three-phase circuit is by a perphase equivalent circuit with all connections converted in their equivalent Y connections.
The solution obtained can be extended to three phases knowing that the voltages and
currents in other two phases would be the same except for the 120 phase shift.
An advantage of per-unit representation is that circuits containing transformers can be easily
analyzed.
Real power systems are convenient to analyze using their per-phase (since the system is
three-phase) per-unit (since there are many transformers) equivalent circuits. The per-phase
base voltage, current, apparent power, and impedance are

I base =

S1 ,base
VLN ,base

VLN ,base
=
Z base =
I base

(V

LN ,base

S1 ,base

(1.1)

2
(1.2)

Per-phase, per-unit equivalent circuits

Where VLN,base is the line-to-neutral base voltage in the three-phase circuit (same as the base
phase voltage in a Y-connected circuit) S1,base is the base apparent power of a single phase in
the circuit.
The base current and impedance in a per-unit system can also be expressed in terms of the
three-phase apparent power (which is 3 times the apparent power of a single phase) and lineto-line voltages (which is 3 times the line-to-neutral voltage):

I base =

S3 ,base

(5.1)

3VLL ,base

VLL ,base
=
Z base =
3I base

(V

LL ,base

2
(5.2)

S3 ,base

In the per-unit system, all quantities are represented as a fraction of the base value:

actual value
Quantity in per unit =
base value of quantity

(5.3)

Per-phase, per-unit equivalent circuits

If any two of the four base quantities are specified, the other base values can be calculated.
Usually, base apparent power and base voltage are specified at a point in the circuit, and the
other values are calculated from them. The base voltage varies by the voltage ratio of each
transformer in the circuit but the base apparent power stays the same through the circuit.
The per-unit impedance may be transformed from one base to another as:
2

Per unit Z new

Vold S new
= per unit Z old

V
S
new old

(10.6.1)

Example 10.2: a power system consists of one synchronous generator and one synchronous motor
connected by two transformers and a transmission line. Create a per-phase, per-unit equivalent
circuit of this power system using a base apparent power of 100 MVA and a base line voltage of the
generator G1 of 13.8 kV. Given that:
G1 ratings: 100 MVA, 13.8 kV, R = 0.1 pu, Xs = 0.9 pu;
T1 ratings: 100 MVA, 13.8/110 kV, R = 0.01 pu, Xs = 0.05 pu;
T2 ratings: 50 MVA, 120/14.4 kV, R = 0.01 pu, Xs = 0.05 pu;
M ratings: 50 MVA, 13.8 kV, R = 0.1 pu, Xs = 1.1 pu;
L1 impedance: R = 15 , X = 75 .

Per-phase, per-unit equivalent circuits

To create a per-phase, per-unit equivalent circuit, we need first to calculate the

impedances of each component in the power system in per-unit to the system
base. The system base apparent power is Sbase = 100 MVA everywhere in the
power system. The base voltage in
Vbase
13.8 kV
Region 1
=
,1
the three regions will vary as the
voltage ratios of the transformers
110
Region 2
V
= 110 kV
that delineate the regions. These Vbase=
,2
base ,1
13.8
base voltages are:

14.4
Vbase=
V
= 13.2 kV
,3
base ,2
120

Region 2

(10.7.1)

Per-phase, per-unit equivalent circuits

G1 ratings: 100
MVA, 13.8 kV,
R = 0.1 pu,
Xs = 0.9 pu;
Base New
S =100 MVA,
kV= 13.8 kV,

L1 impedance:
R = 15 , X = 75 .
T1 ratings: 100
MVA, 13.8/110
kV, R = 0.01 pu,
Xs = 0.05 pu;

T2 ratings: 50
MVA, 120/14.4
kV, R = 0.01 pu,
Xs = 0.05 pu;

M ratings: 50
MVA, 13.8 kV,
R = 0.1 pu, Xs
= 1.1 pu;

Per-phase, per-unit equivalent circuits

The corresponding base impedances in each region are:

VLL ,base 2
=
Z=
base ,1
S3 ,base

(13.8 kV=
) 1.904
100 MVA
2

VLL ,base 2 (110 kV )

=
= 121
Z base=
,2
100 MVA
S3 ,base

Region 1

VLL ,base 2
=
=
Z base
,3
S3 ,base

(13.2 kV=
) 1.743
100 MVA

Region 1

(10.8.1)

Region 1

The impedances of G1 and T1 are specified in per-unit on a base of 13.8 kV and 100
MVA, which is the same as the system base in Region 1. Therefore, the per-unit
resistances and reactances of these components on the system base are
unchanged:
RG1,pu = 0.1 per unit
XG1,pu = 0.9 per unit
RT1,pu = 0.01 per unit
XT1,pu = 0.05 per unit

Per-phase, per-unit equivalent circuits

There is a transmission line in Region 2 of the power system. The impedance of the
line is specified in ohms, and the base impedance in that region is 121 . Therefore,
the per-unit resistance and reactance of the transmission line are:

Rline, system =
X line, system

15
= 0.124 per unit
121
75
=
= 0.620 per unit
121

(1.1)

The impedance of T2 is specified in per-unit on a base of 14.4 kV and 50 MVA in

Region 3. Therefore, the per-unit resistances and reactances of this component on
the system base are:

per unit Z new = per unit Z given (Vgiven Vnew ) ( S new S given )
2

RT 2, pu= 0.01(14.4 13.2 ) (100 50 )= 0.238 per unit

(10.9.2)

X T 2, pu= 0.05 (14.4 13.2 ) (100 50 )= 0.119 per unit

2

(10.9.3)

Per-phase, per-unit equivalent circuits

The impedance of M2 is specified in per-unit on a base of 13.8 kV and 50 MVA in
Region 3. Therefore, the per-unit resistances and reactances of this component on
the system base are:

per unit Z new = per unit Z given (Vgiven Vnew ) ( S new S given )
2

RM 2, pu= 0.1(14.8 13.2 ) (100 50 )= 0.219 per unit

2

X M 2, pu= 1.1(14.8 13.2 ) (100 50 )= 2.405 per unit

2

Therefore, the perphase, per-unit

equivalent circuit of this
power system is shown:

(10.10.1)

Homework
1. Based on the single line diagram given in the previous slide
calculate the actual impedance for each component/device
2. if the new base is given as follows: S = 80MVA and voltage
base V = 110kV, calculate the new per-unit impedance for
each component/devices
3. If motor absorb the active power 0.8pu at pf 0.85 lagging,
and the voltage 10o calculate the voltage at each buses:
v1, v2, and v3

Writing node equations for equivalent circuits

Once the per-phase, per-unit equivalent circuit of a power system is created, it can
be used to find the voltages, currents, and powers present at various points in a
power system. The most common technique used to solve such circuits is nodal
analysis.
In nodal analysis, we use Kirchhoffs current law equations to determine the voltages
at each node (each bus) in the power system, and then use the resulting voltages to
calculate the currents and power flows at various points in the system.

A simple three-phase power system with three

busses connected by three transmission lines.
The system also includes a generator
connected to bus 1, a load connected to bus
2, and a motor connected to bus 3.

Writing node equations for equivalent circuits

The per-phase, per-unit

equivalent circuit of this
power system:
The busses are labeled as
nodes (1), (2), and (3),
while the neutral is labeled
as node (n).

Note that the per-unit series impedances of the transformers and the transmission
lines between each pair of busses have been added up, and the resulting
impedances were expressed as admittances (Y=1/Z) to simplify nodal analysis.
Shunt admittance at each bus is shown between the bus and the neutral. This
admittance can include the shunt admittance of the line models and shunt
admittance associated with any generators or loads on a bus.

Writing node equations for equivalent circuits

The voltages between each bus and neutral are represented by single subscripts
(V1, V2) in the equivalent circuit, while the voltages between any two busses are
indicated by double subscripts (V12).
The generators and loads are represented by current sources injecting currents into
the specific nodes. Conventionally, current sources always flow into a node meaning
that the power flow of generators will be positive, while the power flow for motors will
be negative.
According to Kirchhoffs current flow law (KCL), the sum of all currents entering
any node equals to the sum of all currents leaving the node. KCL can be used to
establish and solve a system of simultaneous equations with the unknown node
voltages.
Assuming that the current from the current sources are entering each node, and that
all other currents are leaving the node, applying the KCL to the node (1) yields:

(V1 V2 ) Ya + (V1 V3 ) Yb + V1Yd

=
I1

(10.13.1)

Writing node equations for equivalent circuits

Similarly, for the nodes (2) and (3):

I2
(V2 V1 ) Ya + (V2 V3 ) Yc + V2Ye =
I3
(V3 V1 ) Yb + (V3 V2 ) Yc + V3Y f =

(10.14.1)
(10.14.2)

Rearranging these equations, we arrive at:

I1
(Ya + Yb + Yd )V1 YaV2 YbV3 =
YaV1 + (Ya + Yc + Ye ) V2 YcV3 =
I2

(10.14.3)

YbV1 YcV2 + (Yb + Yc + Y f ) V3 =

I3

In matrix form:

Ya + Yb + Yd

Ya

Yb

Ya
Ya + Yc + Ye
Yc

V1 I1

Yc
V2 =
I2
Yb + Yc + Y f V3 I 3
Yb

(10.14.4)

Writing node equations for equivalent circuits

Which is an equation of the form:

YbusV = I

(10.15.1)

where Ybus is the bus admittance matrix of a system, which has the form:

Ybus

Y11 Y12 Y13

= Y21 Y22 Y23
Y31 Y32 Y33

(10.15.2)

Ybus has a regular form that is easy to calculate:

1) The diagonal elements Yii equal the sum of all admittances connected to node i.
2) Other elements Yij equal to the negative admittances connected to nodes I and j.
The diagonal elements of Ybus are called the self-admittance or driving-point
admittances of the nodes; the off-diagonal elements are called the mutual
admittances or transfer admittances of the nodes.

Writing node equations for equivalent circuits

Inverting the bus admittance matrix Ybus yields the bus impedance matrix:

Z bus = Ybus 1

(10.16.1)

Simple technique for constructing Ybus is only applicable for components that are not
mutually coupled. The technique applicable to mutually coupled components can be
found elsewhere.
Once Ybus is calculated, the solution to (10.15.1) is

or

1
bus

V =Y I

(10.16.2)

V = bus I

(10.16.3)

Solving power system node equation with MATLAB

A number of techniques can be used to solve systems of simultaneous linear
equations, such as substitution, Gaussian elimination, LU factorization, etc. MATLAB
has build-in system solvers that can be used efficiently.
A system of n linear equations in n unknowns

Ax = b

(10.17.1)

where A is an n x n matrix and b is and n-element column vector; the solution will be

x=A b

(10.17.2)

where A-1 is the n x n matrix inverse of A.

Using MATLAB, the solution to (10.17.1) can be evaluated, for instance, by direct
evaluation of inverse as in (10.17.2), or via the left division (\).

Solving power system node equation with MATLAB

For example, the system

1.0 x1 + 0.5 x2 0.5 x3 =

1.0
0.5 x1 + 1.0 x2 + 0.25 x3 =
2.0
0.5 x1 + 0.25 x2 + 1.0 x3 =
1.0
Can be solved by the following MATLAB code:
>> A = [1, 0.5, -0.5; 0.5, 1, 0.25; -0.5, 0.25, 1];
>> b = [1; 2; 1];
>> x = inv(A) * b;
or
>> x = A\b;

Solving power system node equation with MATLAB

Example 10.3: a
power system
consists of four
busses
interconnected by
five transmission
lines. It includes
one generator
attached to bus 1
and one
synchronous
motor connected
to bus 3.

Solving power system node equation with MATLAB

The per-phase, per-unit equivalent circuit
is shown.
We observe that all impedances are
considered as pure reactances to
simplify the case since reactance is
much larger than resistance in typical
transformers, synchronous machines,
and overhead transmission lines.
Find the per-unit voltage at each bus in
the power system and the per-unit
current flow in line 1.

Solving power system node equation with MATLAB

The first step in solving for bus voltages is to convert the voltage sources into the
equivalent current sources by using the Nortons theorem. Next, we need to convert
all of the impedance values into admittances and form the admittance matrix Ybus
then use it to solve for the bus voltages, and finally use voltages on buses 1 and 2 to
find the current in line 1.
First, we need to find the Norton equivalent circuits for the
combination of G1 and T1. The Thevenin impedance of this
combination is ZTH = j1.1, and the short-circuit current is

Voc 1.110
I sc=
=
= 1.0 80
ZTH
j1.1
The Nortons equivalent circuit.

(10.21.1)

Solving power system node equation with MATLAB

The combination of M3 and T2 is shown.
The Thevelin impedance of this combination is ZTH = j1.6, and
the short-circuit current is

I sc
=

Voc 0.9 22
=
= 0.563 112
ZTH
j1.6

The Nortons equivalent

circuit.

(10.22.1)

Solving power system node equation with MATLAB

The per-phase, per-unit circuit with the

current sources included

The same circuit with impedances

converted to admittances

Solving power system node equation with MATLAB

The resulting admittance matrix is:

Ybus

j 5.0
0
j 6.667
j12.576
j 5.0

j
12.5
j
5.0
j
2.5

0
j 5.0 10.625
j 5.0

j
6.667
j
2.5
j
5.0
j
14.167

(10.24.1)

The current vector for this circuit is:

1.0 80

I =
0.563 112

(10.24.2)

Solving power system node equation with MATLAB

The solution to the system of equations will be

0.989 0.60
0.981 1.58
1

V
V Y=
=
bus I
0.974 2.62

0.982 1.48

(10.25.1)

The current in line 1 can be calculated from the equation:

I=
1

(V1 V2 ) Yline=1 ( 0.989 0.60 0.981 1.58 ) ( j5.0 )

= 0.092 25.16

(10.25.2)